Not slug gun, but.....

[1894cfan]

Don't know where else to post this!
What would be the best shell to use for HD in a 18.5" Cyl. bore .410 shotgun? Got a Mosseberg 500E with a replacement 18 1/2" barrel off one of their .410 cruiser shotguns and want to use it for home defense. TIA

[upnut]

My H&R cylinder bore .410 is very accurate using Remington bulk pack Sluggers. They are, however, quite soft and fragment easily. Brenneke makes a very good slug, harder alloy and quite accurate as well. My gun doesn't like any 3" shells, so I stick with the Sluggers or Brenneke Close Encounter. BTW, I have had good luck with Federal Handgun 000 buckshot in 2 1/2" as well. Palm-sized groups at 15 yards are the norm. YMMV. I also have a 500E with a 24" full choke barrel that likes the Brenneke 3" slugs, but keyholes the 2 1/2" Close Encounters....you'll probably have to try several different ammos to find the best combo...
 
Scott B.

[1894cfan]

Thanks, upnut. I'm trying to stay away from slugs inside the house. I've got Win PDX1 2.5"  and Fed. Premium 3" 4 buck shells. Just placed an order with Midway for a couple boxes of 3" 000 buck to try out.
Anybody else want to pipe up and give your opinions?

[luckydawg13]

just asking but why would you pick a 410 for HD a wile back i was looking for a HD
shotgun i went with a 12ga SxS with 20" barrels 2 3/4 chambers and 00 buckshot

[upnut]

Thanks, upnut. I'm trying to stay away from slugs inside the house. I've got Win PDX1 2.5"  and Fed. Premium 3" 4 buck shells. Just placed an order with Midway for a couple boxes of 3" 000 buck to try out.
Anybody else want to pipe up and give your opinions?

I've patterned both the Federal loads you speak of, out of full choke they were pretty decent....out of cylinder bore they sprayed badly. I kept coming back to the 2 1/2" Federal 000Buck, for my needs it gave a better pattern:
 

 
Two rounds fired at a 3" orange target, one from ten yards then one from fifteen yards. You may want a bigger pattern, but this was what I was looking for. The nice part about the new Judge Handgun...lots more .410 ammo choices! Let us know how the patterning works out, and have fun!
 
Scott B.
 
P.S. Here's a pic of my Marlin 200 (H&R built for Marlin) .410 slug gun:
 

[1894cfan]

just asking but why would you pick a 410 for HD a wile back i was looking for a HD
shotgun i went with a 12ga SxS with 20" barrels 2 3/4 chambers and 00 buckshot

Too worried about overpenitration and noise, I guess. Summertime, I figure on going with PDX1 and 4 buck, and wintertime with 000 buck.

[1894cfan]

Thanks for the additional info and pic of your target, upnut. Besides a shorter barrel , 18.5", I figured Cyl. bore would be a bit better at typical indoor distances and allow the pattern to open up a bit more.
I'll likely start going more for the Fed. Premium 4 and 000 buck ammo in the future as the PDX1 shells have thinner plastic on their shell casings and tend to kink after a fairly short period of time in the tube magazine. I will keep this thread updated as I run through the ammo tests.

[upnut]

Thanks for the additional info and pic of your target, upnut. Besides a shorter barrel , 18.5", I figured Cyl. bore would be a bit better at typical indoor distances and allow the pattern to open up a bit more.
I'll likely start going more for the Fed. Premium 4 and 000 buck ammo in the future as the PDX1 shells have thinner plastic on their shell casings and tend to kink after a fairly short period of time in the tube magazine. I will keep this thread updated as I run through the ammo tests.

Found this info on Federal buckshot ammo testing, you will find your gun listed in the testing:http://410handguns.com/410_federal_ammunition.html
 
Scott B.

[1894cfan]

 
Found this info on Federal buckshot ammo testing, you will find your gun listed in the testing:http://410handguns.com/410_federal_ammunition.html
 
Scott B.

 
Thanks LOTS for that link!!!    With the barrel change, what I ended up with is a HS410 with a cruiser barrel and no pistol grip forearm. Also, another reason to use 2 1/2" shells is you can stuff more in the tube magazine.